The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer of the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia on 6 March 1972. On that date, Captain Bosiljevac, disregarding both heavy anti-aircraft artillery fire and the dangers presented by nearby hostile airborne interceptors, inflicted heavy damage upon a ground controlled airborne intercept radar site. His aggressiveness and timely reactions silenced the site as it vectored a hostile interceptor to within ten miles of his aircraft. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
17th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
September 15, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer of the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over Southeast Asia on 15 September 1972. On that date, while escorting a fighter-bomber force en route to targets near Kep, North Vietnam, Captain Bosiljevac successfully attacked and destroyed several enemy surface-to-air missile sites which opposed the strike aircraft. His aggressive and courageous attacks, made in the face of a formidable array of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery and interceptor defenses, enabled the American forces to reach their targets, successfully complete their mission and safely withdraw. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 29, 1972 – October 3, 1972
Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from September 29, 1972 until his death in captivity on October 3, 1972.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
17th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
June 27, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer of the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 27 June 1972. On that date, Captain Bosiljevac succeeded in neutralizing a formidable array of hostile anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and MiG interceptor threats in support of a large strike force attacking a strategic target. Despite great risk to his own aircraft, Captain Bosiljevac continued to engage all opposing aerial defenses in the target area until the strike force completed its mission and all aircraft had safely departed. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bosiljevac reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
17th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
388th Tactical Fighter WingAction Date:
September 29, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer with the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, near Phuc Yen Airfield, North Vietnam, on 29 September 1972. On that date, while supporting air strikes against enemy storage areas, Captain Bosiljevac repeatedly exposed himself to enemy anti-aircraft defenses in order to draw fire away from nearby American Forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Bosiljevac continued to engage a surface-to-air missile site despite indications of a missile accurately tracking his aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack enabled the strike forces to penetrate the target area defenses, successfully complete their mission, and safely withdraw. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Bosiljevac has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
17th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
May 11, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Michael Joseph Bosiljevac (AFSN: FR-3195450), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105G Electronic Warfare Officer with the 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, in Southeast Asia, on 11 May 1972. On that date, as Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead F-105 Thunderchief in a flight of four F-105s, Captain Bosiljevac directed repeated attacks against hostile surface-to-air missile batteries threatening a large strike force, prompting the firing of ten missiles toward himself and away from the strike force. While providing accurate threat warning to his flight and the strike force, he directed the expenditure of retaliatory missiles, initiated active electronic countermeasures, and assisted his pilot by maintaining visual contact with the rest of the flight as it successfully disengaged from an attack of hostile interceptors. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Bosiljevac has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.